This lesson will first give students a chance to write down things they may want to review of what will be on the upcoming quiz. Second students will be given a chance to go to the computer labs and work on the ongoing project. This will be a chance for them to present any questions and I will be able to address any concerns. It will be a way for me to make sure the students have reached certain benchmarks with this project.
Opportunities to Learn:
Depth of Knowledge
Level 3
students will be working on the unit project which requires students to research, investigate, apply and synthesis
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students are expected to know the assignment of the project, and are expected to have begun work on it.
Plans for Differentiating Instruction
The students will be given some "free" time to work on their projects. This may help some students who learn and work better in a more strict environment, rather than working at, for example, a friends house. This will allow the students to at least get a start on their projects.
Accommodations and modifications
Environmental factors
The entire class will be going to the computer lab. I expect the lab to be very crowded and the students may have to work in groups on a single computer, rather than having separate computers for each individual in the group.
Materials
Computer lab (with internet access) able to fit a full class working in groups
note cards
Objectives:
Students will...
ask questions about the quiz and successfully answer questions as a group
complete the beginning of their projects individually or in groups in the computer lab
Instruction:
Opening:
Students will enter the room and be instructed to write down at most three questions they have about the upcoming quiz on a notecard. They can ask about the format of the quiz or the content that will be covered on the quiz. I will then ask students to volunteer any of their questions to the class. As a class we will discuss the answers the following class. This will give me a chance to gauge whether or not I have covered certain topics appropriately.
This focuses attention on the mechanics of the quiz, e.g. format, length, etc. Is this you goal? Why not have them work in groups to construct a web diagram that shows all the topics covered so far in the unit and how they are related. You can then poll each group about their most important topics and create a class web, that students can copy in their notes. If there are topics that all the groups missed, you can add these to the map in a different color. If students copy the map in their notes, they have a study guide for the unit so far.
Engagement:
As a class we will go to the computer lab and work on the Geologic Stability Projects. As of this point, students should have worked out who in the group is doing what section. Therefore the work should mostly be research individually. During their individual work (about 30 minutes), I will be available to help students on their projects. I will also be circulating the room and checking the progress of each student on their project. Students should have their sections assigned within the group, and know how they are presenting their project.
Project work days deceptively challenging for the teacher, but they can also be the most fun. You need to make your expectations clear, suggests tasks for each group member, and make it clear what behaviors are not acceptable, i.e. surfing the internet. You should have a specific milestone that you can check at the end of the day, e.g. each student should have 5 resources that they can follow up with at home, etc.
Closure:
As a class we will discuss any concerns about the project, and I will show the students some examples of past work on the projects.
Assessment:
During the students' individual work, I will be assessing whether the students have reached certain benchmarks in their project:
Students should have:
decided on a location to research as a group
decided which group member is doing which section
decided on the format of their project presentation (movie, slide show, audio, poster etc.)
Lesson Plan
Lesson Title: Project work time!
State Standards: GLEs/GSEs
National Standards:
Context of Lesson:
This lesson will first give students a chance to write down things they may want to review of what will be on the upcoming quiz. Second students will be given a chance to go to the computer labs and work on the ongoing project. This will be a chance for them to present any questions and I will be able to address any concerns. It will be a way for me to make sure the students have reached certain benchmarks with this project.Opportunities to Learn:
Depth of Knowledge
Level 3Prerequisite Knowledge
Students are expected to know the assignment of the project, and are expected to have begun work on it.Plans for Differentiating Instruction
The students will be given some "free" time to work on their projects. This may help some students who learn and work better in a more strict environment, rather than working at, for example, a friends house. This will allow the students to at least get a start on their projects.Accommodations and modifications
Environmental factors
The entire class will be going to the computer lab. I expect the lab to be very crowded and the students may have to work in groups on a single computer, rather than having separate computers for each individual in the group.Materials
Objectives:
Students will...Instruction:
Opening:
Students will enter the room and be instructed to write down at most three questions they have about the upcoming quiz on a notecard. They can ask about the format of the quiz or the content that will be covered on the quiz. I will then ask students to volunteer any of their questions to the class. As a class we will discuss the answers the following class. This will give me a chance to gauge whether or not I have covered certain topics appropriately.This focuses attention on the mechanics of the quiz, e.g. format, length, etc. Is this you goal? Why not have them work in groups to construct a web diagram that shows all the topics covered so far in the unit and how they are related. You can then poll each group about their most important topics and create a class web, that students can copy in their notes. If there are topics that all the groups missed, you can add these to the map in a different color. If students copy the map in their notes, they have a study guide for the unit so far.
Engagement:
As a class we will go to the computer lab and work on the Geologic Stability Projects. As of this point, students should have worked out who in the group is doing what section. Therefore the work should mostly be research individually. During their individual work (about 30 minutes), I will be available to help students on their projects. I will also be circulating the room and checking the progress of each student on their project. Students should have their sections assigned within the group, and know how they are presenting their project.Project work days deceptively challenging for the teacher, but they can also be the most fun. You need to make your expectations clear, suggests tasks for each group member, and make it clear what behaviors are not acceptable, i.e. surfing the internet. You should have a specific milestone that you can check at the end of the day, e.g. each student should have 5 resources that they can follow up with at home, etc.
Closure:
As a class we will discuss any concerns about the project, and I will show the students some examples of past work on the projects.Assessment:
During the students' individual work, I will be assessing whether the students have reached certain benchmarks in their project:Students should have:
Reflections
(only done after lesson is enacted)Student Work Sample 1 – Approaching Proficiency:
Student Work Sample 2 – Proficient:
Student Work Sample 3 – Exceeds Proficiency: